congenial

con·ge·nial

adjective \kən-ˈjē-nē-əl, -ˈjēn-yəl\

Definition of CONGENIAL

1

: having the same nature, disposition, or tastes : kindred <congenial companions>

2

a : existing or associated together harmoniously

b : pleasant; especially : agreeably suited to one's nature, tastes, or outlook <a congenial atmosphere>

c : sociable, genial <a congenial host>

— con·ge·nial·i·ty \-ˌjē-nē-ˈa-lə-tē, -ˌjēn-ˈya-\ noun

— con·ge·nial·ly \-ˈjē-nē-ə-lē, -ˈjēn-yə-\ adverb

Examples of CONGENIAL

1. The town is a congenial place for raising children.
2. We studied in the congenial atmosphere of the library.
3. He found the work to be congenial.
4. She was congenial and easygoing.
5. She moved on, leaving behind the world of politics for the more congenial sphere of the arts. —Amy Fine Collins, Vanity Fair, March 2001
6. Jackson may walk up to home plate with the cool strut of a superstar, but off the field he is warm and congenial. —Peter Gammons, Sports Illustrated, 12 June 1989
7. It turned out to be, for me, one of the most congenial and, in a way, lustrous gatherings that I have ever had in the White House. —Lady Bird Johnson, 4 May 1965, in A White House Diary, 1970

Origin of CONGENIAL

com- + genius

First Known Use: circa 1625

Related to CONGENIAL

Synonyms

agreeable, blessed (also blest), pleasant, darling, delectable, delicious, delightful, delightsome, dreamy, dulcet, enjoyable, felicitous, good, grateful, gratifying, heavenly, jolly, luscious, nice, palatable, pleasing, pleasurable, pretty, satisfying, savory (also savoury), sweet, tasty, welcome

Antonyms

disagreeable, pleasureless, unpalatable, unpleasant, unwelcome

Related Words

alluring, attractive, desirable, enviable, inviting, relishable, tempting; charming, enchanting, fascinating; calming, comforting, soothing; amusing, diverting, entertaining, recreative; affable, amiable, cheerful, cheery, comfortable, gemütlich, genial, goodly, good-natured, gracious, hospitable, kindly, personable; blissful, felicific, glad, happy, joyous; elating, exhilarating, intoxicating; ecstatic, euphoric, nirvanic, rapturous

Near Antonyms

abominable, ghastly, god-awful, hellish, horrid, miserable, wretched; bilious, disgusting, distasteful, obnoxious, offensive, repellent (also repellant), repugnant, repulsive, revulsive, unsavory, vile, yucky (also yukky); abhorrent, detestable, hateful, odious; boring, commonplace, dull, flat, insipid, irksome, stale, tedious; displeasing, dissatisfying; depressing, disheartening, dismal, dreary, gloomy, heartbreaking, heartrending, joyless, lachrymose, sad, unhappy; deplorable, doleful, dolorous, lamentable, lugubrious, mournful, regrettable, sorrowful, tragic (also tragical); aggravating, annoying, exasperating, irritating, peeving, perturbing, vexing; forbidding; hostile, intimidating; angering, enraging, incensing, inflaming (also enflaming), infuriating, maddening, outraging, rankling, riling; distressing, disturbing, upsetting